getting ready for CHRISTMAS
The Christmas countdown has begun! Are you ready?
The decorations are starting to go up, there’s a chill in the air and there’s a festive feeling brewing. This can only mean one thing, the run up to Christmas has well and truly begun.
In what can be a very busy period with sprucing up the house, preparing family meals and welcoming those near and dear to us, we are determined to avoid any last minute rushing around this year by being well prepared in advance of the big day.
To help with that we have prepared a long list of those people, places and businesses on Arran that are offering great festive deals and bargains to help make this the most wonderful and stress free Christmas ever. Of course we will always encourage you to SHOP LOCAL everything that you could possibly need can be found right on your doorstep, and what’s more you will be supporting a local business, who might be struggling in these trying times, and most importantly of all, you will be contributing to the local economy and local causes! Needless to say, products purchased on Arran offer a special uniqueness and quality, without having to trawl online to find an equivalent. And you may also find that the number of special deals and discounts are like nothing ever experienced before, if there ever was a good time to take advantage of great prices, superb quality and festive offers, this is it, but get started early, Christmas will be here before you know it. Merry Christmas and happy shopping!
ARRAN GIN COMPANY
Starting in Brodick some might tempt you with a refreshing glass of Prosecco or mulled wine. At Cladach you will find the Arran Gin Company - What an exciting year at Cladach Beach House! – making Cassis; serving-up beach cocktails…. and now they aim to make people feel as Christmassy as possible in their beach front shop. What’s on offer: Limited edition Arran Cassis, made from this year’s local blackcurrants -squished and delightfully fermented on Arran, large & small bottles of gin. NEW denim bags, aprons and branded facemasks. Hand-selected Corney & Barrow wines, champagne and port, lets you create your own perfect Christmas drink. With roaring fire and Christmas spirit – they promise to make it fun this year at Cladach! www. isleofarrangin.com
CLADACH SAWMILL AND GARDEN CENTRE
If you are looking for a shed, garden furniture, plants or a real Christmas tree then pay a visit to Cladach Sawmill and Garden Centre who have Norway spruce, or Noble/Nordmann, fir trees for sale. They offer a full landscaping and fencing service, or supply only with delivery available. The Garden Centre stocks carries a comprehensive range of seasonal plants, many produced on site, along with pots, composts, seeds, tools and sundries all at a very competitive price. Gift vouchers also available. Call 01770 302622 or email: cladachsawmill@btinternet.com
RED DOOR
Christmas shopping is going to be a bit different this year, and the girls at Red Door have tried to do the hard work for you! They have a great selection of gift ideas for the whole family, all behind one little Red Door! There are stunning new cashmere blend scarves, with matching gloves for a touch of luxury! Gents scarves, wallets and gloves for those hard to buy for men of the family! There is a HUGE selection of beautiful kiddies goodies, from a Wooden
Doctors Kit, Milk Bottle Baking Kits, and a vast array of Activity Books! Not to mention all the exquisite jewellery, handbags, Christmas decorations, candles and more. Contact 01770 303549.
JAMES OF ARRAN CHOCOLATE SHOP
Within walking distance, Arran’s only chocolate factory has been producing the finest hand crafted chocolate delights for over 18 years. And at their shop, James of Arran, their years of experience is plain to see, and taste. Offering a tempting array of sweet treats including their Brandy Christmas pudding truffles, fresh cream truffles and mint truffles, Christmas gifts, chocolate bars, gift boxes and what woman doesn’t love her shoes, they are amazing! Mail order service available. www. jamesofarran.com or call 01770302873
ARRAN ACTIVE
No visit to Arran is complete without making a visit to Arran Active, which is so much more than just an outdoor store, with great gifts for all the family. Arran’s specialist outdoor shop has a huge amount of space and an equally large range of outdoor clothing, footwear, rucksacks and equipment. With a great deal of new stock having just arrived it may be worth your while to pay them a visit. In addition to the expected range of active items they extend further than just that and also stock ladies fashion wear, pet supplies, toys, Arran gifts and an impressive collection of whiskies and gins, perfect for Christmas. Tel: 01770 302113, Email: info@arranactive.co.uk
DRIFTWOOD
Next to that, Driftwood strives to capture the essence of Christmas, and you are certain to find a wide selection of tempting gifts for friends and family. With a knack for stocking items that are all carefully selected to match the style of the charming shop. As well as their collection of Christmas decorations and present ideas, they have lanterns and candle holders, lamps and mirrors, clocks, cosy throws . ...... they are proud to stock local products: Arran prints by Catriona Tod, Jewellery by Ailsa McNicol, Candles by the Arran Wax company, Arran Bee products. As well as have a huge selection of Jellycat soft lovelies! Driftwood also sell Peppermint Grove candles and diffusers, East of India and Gisela Graham. Driftwood offers something for everyone. And as a thank you for being there and all your support they are are offering 10% off everything in stock (not including Ailsa McNicol jewellery) right up to Christmas!! Call 01770 303970
JOHNSTON’S ARRAN BOOKROOM
Johnston’s Arran Bookroom is a small bookshop in Atholl House, Lamlash specialising in rare and out-of-print books about the Isle of Arran. There are also many collectable nautical and old children’s books.
The Bookroom will be open to individual customers during December but please get in touch to arrange a time. Phone 01770 600344, message me on Facebook or email: heather@johnstonsarranbookroom.co.uk. If you are looking for a particular title, Arran related or otherwise get in touch. I can send photos and even deliver to your home. Some of my books are listed online here: https://www.abebooks. co.uk/johnstonsarran.../50603826/sf
JANELLE’S
Round in Lamlash, a particular highlight for many is Janelle’s, the interior design gift shop which stocks a wide range of unique giftware and home décor, and which always manages to stock tastefully selected and ultra-desirable items. It’s all about Christmas this year at Janelle’s even more so this year as everyone needs a bit of cheering up and they are happy to deliver to Lamlash, Brodick & Whiting Bay (all other villages would post) Very happy also to post to mainland also, just message them on Facebook.
ISLAND PORCELAIN
Next door, at Island Porcelain, if their wonderfully cute celebration mouse, which can be personalised for that special occasion, be it birth, wedding or engagement doesn’t get you, the charming porcelain sheep, seals, birds and sea animals certainly will. These elegant and collectable porcelain designs are uniquely charming, will enhance any home and make ideal gifts. With no two the same, each piece is individually hand crafted and hand painted, ensuring that every single piece is a unique and collectable keepsake. Well worth a visit to pick your favourite or buy online at www.islandporcelain.com
CHAMELEON LADIES BOUTIQUE
Further along the road is Chameleon Ladies Boutique for all your wardrobe needs and enjoy an ‘Awesome Autumn 20% Off’ everything in the shop (except sale goods and Gift Vouchers). They have a range of seasonal collections from leading European brands, as well as a great range of basics. Don’t forget they also stock winter boots & cosy lined leggings. For Christmas, they have a selection of great gift ideas including snoods, scarves, costume jewellery and bags. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10:30am – 5pm and can also offer personal appointments outwith those times, just get in touch. Chameleon are also online 24/7 at www. chameleonarran.com!
ARRAN BUTCHER
Further around the island at Blackwaterfoot is the Arran Butcher who have turkeys with all of the trimmings. But be sure to order yours by Friday11th December! Along with their famous haggis and black pudding they also have gammon, steak pies and a selection of fish along with their usual quality selection of beef, pork and lamb. Please phone 860354, E-mail Info@ thearranbutcher.com or Facebook @thearranbutcher for more information or to place your order.
OLD BYRE VISITOR CENTRE
Another unmissable stop is the Old Byre Visitor Centre in Machrie where there is the Old Byre Showroom stocking sustainable clothing, stocking fillers, beautiful knitwear, handbags, throws and accessories. This is mirrored in the sister shop The Byre at Brodick. The extensive new addition Shoe Bothy offers an exciting range of shoes, boots and sheepskin slippers for all the family with the team trained in feet measuring. Some ranges are rarely seen elsewhere in the UK and are that little bit different, there are also well known brands such as Dubarry of Ireland, Hunter and Start-Rite, if we do not your size we are happy to order it for you. This year why not join their loyalty scheme to enjoy 10% off your shopping until Christmas Eve and gain points throughout the year for vouchers. While there why not enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Thyme and let the kids let off steam in the play area. Tel: 01770 840227
TAYLOR MADE BEAUTY.
If you fancy a bit of pampering, or treating that special person in your life then why not get a voucher from Taylor Made Beauty. Taylor offers a range of professional beauty treatments in the relaxing setting of a small salon based in Machrie. Whether it’s nails, facials, make up or eyebrows and lashes there is something to suit everyone! Contact Taylor on 07789043108 or email: contact@ taylormadebeauty.info
WHINS CRAFT SHOP
Whins Craft shop is the home of the Arran Stonemen, a collection of painted stones which have been collected from around the shoreline of Arran. The stones are wonderfullysculpted into little stonemen, all with their own unique appearance and character. Situated up the NorthNewton track on the north side of the loch at Lochranza it is well worth a visit even if just for the stunning views.Tel: 01770 830650
LOCHRANZA DISTILLERY
The Lochranza Distillery gift shop is still open this month with lots of beautiful Christmas gift ideas and of course plenty of our delicious local Arran Single Malt. The Visitor Centre shop is open every day 10am – 4pm and the team is on hand to help make sure that you get what you need in a safe and socially distant way. You can also place your order over the phone for collection if this suits you better. Call 01770 830 264 where one of the team will de delighted to take your order.
BAY WOOL & CRAFTS
If you’re looking for that special gift, unique and handmade, look no further than Bay Wool & Crafts! They have work from 30 craftspeople, in a wide range of disciplines and also offer gift vouchers in
your choice of denomination; a great Secret Santa present! You can also gift a new skill in the form of embroidery and cross-stitch kits and there is always their wide range of wool, plus knitting and crochet supplies. Bay Wool and Crafts offer free island delivery. Call 01770 700481, visit the website: www. baywoolcrafts.co.uk, or visit in person Tuesday - Saturday 11am-3pm.
ROBIN’S CHRISTMAS MENU
Robin and Rosario’s farm in Whiting Bay produces local veg to island outlets. Popular at many catering pop ups around the island, Chef Robin’s Island Gourmet specialises in locally led provenance in producing his menus. The dining menu can be delivered to your door or pick up from the farm with a new menu created every weekend and Christmas menu available to order from this week, delivered on 24th Dec. The Christmas menu combines farm reared pork, local seafood, farm veg, wild Arran venison, Redwoods Farm Chicken, and Gartmoran Farm Turkey, which they believe is the best sourced quality around.
ROBIN’S CHRISTMAS MENU
Robin and Rosario’s farm in Whiting Bay produces local veg to island outlets. Popular at many catering pop ups around the island, Chef Robin’s Island Gourmet specialises in locally led provenance in producing his menus. The dining menu can be delivered to your door or pick up from the farm with a new menu created every weekend and Christmas menu available to order from this week, delivered on 24th Dec. The Christmas menu combines farm reared pork, local seafood, farm veg, wild Arran venison, Redwoods Farm Chicken, and Gartmoran Farm Turkey, which they believe is the best sourced quality around.
THE SHORE
The Shore are serving up delicious homemade food, drinks, Christmas lights & a warm fire in December Wednesday – Sunday 11.30am - 2pm
Still selling homemade frozen meals - with no pre-orders needed pop in to collect during opening hours. Festive Platters/ Hogmanay Platters (ready to serve) & BYOB at Home Fresh Christmas Dinners are available to pre order NOW! Free delivery to Brodick collection point available, please see their menus on Facebook or in the cafe, for dates & details. The Shore will be open until Sunday 20th December, providing a service to our muchloved community. After this time, the cafe will be closed until the end of January, as sadly the cost of opening would not be sustainable for their business during the current Covid-19 pandemic. They would like to thank you everyone for the ongoing support, it means a lot to them and they look forward to seeing you again soon.
THE ARRANCARD
A great idea from VisitArran, the ArranCard is a prepaid gift card that offers an easy way to get someone an Arran present when you don’t know exactly what they might want! The ArranCard is accepted in over 50 businesses, including accommodation, food & drink, activity and retail. You can order online at www.arrancard. com and balance on the card, and where to spend it, can be easily checked this way too. So if you’re looking for an Arran gift, why not consider an ArranCard? This is a sure-fire way of supporting island businesses whilst also offering a choice to the recipient!
Thank you for supporting your local businesses, it is because of you they are still open!